CURRENT MISSION

Getting the A'dam appartment in shape, cleaning up the Leiden one :-)

ABOUT ME

Born and raised in the little village of Rijnsburg, close to Katwijk and the sea. Moved to Leiden, went to university there. Did various consulting jobs after that in various places, and currently work in Amsterdam in the financial services industry.

I used to play in a metal band for a while, but my main music passion is playing "classical" piano, which I studied for over 20 years now, and my interest has shifted to more modern classical pieces over time (and yes, I've done tone clusters). E.g.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Qm6rEwT54

I love to go out to relax, enjoy, chill or do some cultural stuff. E.g. going to a bar for drinks, enjoying the sun on a terrace in summer, classical music concerts and festivals. Always in for a party, just not something big, hectic or noisy. I do have to work the next day... But given enough time I most certainly can make arrangements if you want to e.g. have a guided tour during the day.

Yes, I know... English (Canadian?) expert...? Why the heck would I say that eh? Well, it's all thanks to my Canuck family and more like a mix of Yank, Canuck and Dutch. Some people wonder whether I'm from the states or whether I've stayed there, some do hear the Canadian slang as well. Only if I'm tired or distracted, I sometimes tend to get the funny Dutch accent as well (and sound like the ING Direct guy, haha ;-)

Anyways, Timmies is waaaay better than Starbucks (XL English toffee please!!), I *do* have Canadian Tire money (seriously!), just looking at poutine gives me a heart attack, I believe!! (in Ogopogo), I wear touques in winter, I actually had to thaw frozen beer in a camp fire more than once, love eating Elephant ears, -10 is reeeaaallly warm, -30 is a little bit chilly, I actually have a Domino's Pizza Canada account, and GO OILERS GO!!

PHILOSOPHY

Through music, silence and noise, I have learned, and still do to this very day, to listen, very closely, to to others and to myself.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have done "guided tours" for family in Amsterdam as well, so if you need one let me know! When I move to Amsterdam I'll definitely make a couch available! Very interested in the experience! See couch information pane for my future couch! (Co)organized Dutch classes and speakers corner, which has been great fun so far!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Met some great people, was able to help to teach people about Dutch culture and language, a very grateful experience, share wonderful stories and hoping to have many many more great experiences!

Interests

Music, contemporary art, outdoors, hiking, scrambling, skidooing, skiing. Playing poker (Texas Hold 'em eh), enjoying a relaxed and chilling night out or crashing on the couch and listening to music.

• arts
• culture
• contemporary art
• concerts
• festivals
• beer
• running
• partying
• drinking
• poker
• music
• classical music
• piano
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• hiking
• camping
• skiing
• tours
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical and contemporary classical music, metal (yes, the heavy kind, old skool thrash and death, also southern metal).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Knee deep in snow in the middle of summer, standing on the edge of a 1km drop on some icy mountain summit, seeing an ocean of glaciated and snow capped mountains as far as the eye can see, doing back country trips as day hikes, driving a truck on a frozen lake to go ice fishing, shoveling a sidewalk in -30C, celebrating new year in the bingo hall in Ashmont (of all places), running down the top of a mountain in a thunderstorm, doing beer runs on a skidoo, snow's waaaay better than scree.

I may have been stupid more than once, but learned lots in the process and am at least living a great and exciting life!!

Teach, Learn, Share

Can tell quite a bit about my country, did guided tours for my family in Amsterdam, know one or two things about contemporary and classical art, did speakers corner and Dutch classes and loved it! Would like to speak better French, learn about other countries and cultures!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands

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